Low-grade (polymorphous) adenocarcinoma of the middle ear mimicking a jugulotympanic paraganglioma

HNO. 2021 Aug;69(Suppl 2):88-91. doi: 10.1007/s00106-021-01028-x. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Abstract

A 64-year-old female patient presented with otalgia and hearing loss in the right ear. On otoscopy, the right tympanic membrane was highly vascularized and bulged into the anteroinferior quadrant. High-resolution computed tomography revealed an osteolytic lesion with occupation of the hypotympanum extending into the petrous apex and right parapharyngeal space as well as infiltration of the wall of the right internal carotid artery. MRI strengthened the suspicion of a jugulotympanic paraganglioma. The biopsy material obtained through exploratory tympanotomy was assessed as a low-grade polymorphic adenocarcinoma. The tumor was treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy. Posttherapeutic imaging after 4 months did not show any evidence of tumor progression.

Keywords: Antineoplastic agents; Otologic surgical procedures; Radiotherapy; Salivary gland diseases; Tympanic membrane.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma*
  • Ear, Middle / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Glomus Jugulare Tumor* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraganglioma*
  • Petrous Bone